Born this way: sexual sin + serving God

One of the most controversial issues that has faced Christianity over the course of the past 20 something years is – what to do about homosexuality? While some denominations are allowing homosexuals to pastor their congregations, and others are allowing them to marry in their churches, it’s important to note that we were all born in sin. (Ephesians 2:1-3) (Titus 3:3)

God has given us the ability to become “overcomers” regarding all types of sin – not just homosexuality. (1 Corinthians 10:13) While yes, we’re human and we can and easily do fail, we don’t have to be slaves to what we know is not God’s design for us. We can leave behind our old ways and support each other to make sure we don’t stumble again.

While some denominations have boldly spoken about their support of homosexual behavior, we must not lie to those who are struggling with sexual sin – they must change their behavior. (2 Peter 2:9-10 )It’s important that Christians stress that we can’t serve both God and our old sin nature. We have to make a choice and we must speak the truth at all costs.

“You adulterers! Don’t you know that friendship with the world means hostility with God? So whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God.” – James 4:4

(I posted the following to Quora on July 16, 2017 in response to the following:

“I’m queer, short and small (some of my body parts are girly in size) (5′7″), fatherless, unemployed, neglected, lonely and lost… But I still believe God exists& that he has the right to do whatever he wants to cause he made, despite it, in my own way try to love& serve him even if he hates me.” [SIC])

God doesn’t hate you. God hates sin, because He is Holy and because He loves you. I want to let you know that when it comes to sin, we were all born this way. Sexual immorality, lust, hatred, greed, hatred of God’s laws – these were our default behaviors. (Psalm 51:5-6)

The difference is that when we decide that we are going to reject Satan’s authority and transfer that authority over to Jesus, we become “new creations.” (2 Corinthians 5) This is much like renouncing your citizenship of your birth country when you swear allegiance to a new country in which you’re becoming a citizen.

When we’re Christians and we sin, it grieves us because this attitude, this behavior, is incompatible with our new life as a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We want to be back into our new default behavior, which is “Holiness.” (Romans 6) God is Holy, so we must be Holy. (Leviticus 20:7)

Because we live in a fallen world and do not yet have a glorified body with Jesus, (1 Corinthians 15) we have to make the decision every day to die to ourselves and the desires of the flesh. It’s hard! It’s uncomfortable! It’s a struggle! (Romans 7) But… we are victorious in Christ and through Him, all things are possible. (Philippians 4:13)

You have to make a decision, do you serve one master – sin nature, desires of the flesh, Satan – or will you choose to die to yourself every day, to serve God? You can not serve 2 opposing masters, so you must decide for yourself. (Revelation 3:15-16)

Christians, even back in Peter’s day, came out of a sinful lifestyle. The people you used to run with will question why you are no longer choosing to do the things that you once did. If it happened to those in Jesus’ day, it will happen to you too.

“Therefore, since the Messiah suffered in a mortal body, you, too, must arm yourselves with the same determination, because the person who has suffered in a mortal body has stopped sinning,

2 so that he can live the rest of his mortal life guided, not by human desires, but by the will of God.

3 For you spent enough time in the past doing what the gentiles like to do, living in sensuality, sinful desires, drunkenness, wild celebrations, drinking parties, and detestable idolatry.

4 They insult you now because they are surprised that you are no longer joining them in the same excesses of wild living.” – 1 Peter 4:3-4

Now onto the second matter. It does not matter if you’re small, thin, have feminine features – (Exodus 4:10-14)there is not a default look that men must have, so put that out of your mind. Likewise God is not a respector of persons (Romans 2:9-13) – He is not impressed, nor disappointed by your material goods or social status. He is a champion of the widows and the fatherless. (Psalm 68:5-6) He will be your refuge (Psalm 9:9) – if you’ll make the decision to make Him, rather than the desires of your flesh, the Lord of your life.